This report represents a clinical study of 17 cases of cystic hygromas which were treated by surgical excision and confirmed pathologically at the Fatima Hospital in Taegu during 11 years from Jan. 1965 to Sept. 1975.
The following results were obtained,
1) The ratio to the total number of operations for the same period was 0.14%. (17 Cases to 10, 972 cases of total operations) So, the cystic hygroma was relatively rare disease.
2) The cystic hygroma is thought to be congenital developmental defect of lymphatic system.
3) Of 17 cases, 13 cases 176-016) were found less than 10 yrs of age but 2 cases (11, 8%) were over 3.0 yrs of age. The sex distribution was in ratio of 4:1 with 10 males and 7 females
4) Principal clinical symptoms were "presence of soft, fluctuant palpable masses" in entire cases with no specific symptoms.
5) The location of the mass was as follows; 52.8% in the neck, (29.2% in posterior triangle, 11.8% in submandibular space, 11.8% in almost entire lateral aspect) 11.8% in axilla, face and lower extremity respectively. 5.9% in anterior chest wall and inguinal region respectively, in orders.
6) In spite of no typical laboratory datas & X-ray findings, the diagnosis was relatively easy by the basis of history, location, clinical symptoms but should be differentiated from neuro-fibroma, hemangioma, lipoma, and cystic degeneration of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis in our series.
7) The surgical excision is mandatory in surgical treatment but is very difficult in the case of rupture of the cyst during surgical procedure because of it has no discrete encapsulation, moreover has infiltrating nature into the surrounding tissue deeply, evenmore into the vital organ.
8) In all 17 cases, radical curative excisions were done and no recurrences were observed as yet.
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